Fairfax County Office for Children has been awarded the Child Development Associate (CDA) Gold Standard by the Council for Professional Recognition. The Fairfax County Office for Children works in partnership with families, educators, and community organizations as well as other partners across Virginia to support the school readiness of our county's youngest children. “We are pleased to provide quality professional learning opportunities for the Fairfax County early childhood community, and to support educators in meeting competencies and quality standards of Virginia’s unified early childhood system” shared Anne-Marie Twohie, OFC director.

The CDA Gold Standard is a recognition of excellence in early childhood education learning opportunities offered to professionals.

The Office for Children met all assessment criteria, including a site visit, and demonstrated that the professional learning opportunities offered for early childhood educators are aligned with CDA subject areas. School Readiness Coordinator, Betsi Closter, coordinated this effort with all divisions within OFC. For example, courses, workshops and online sessions provide educational opportunities that support quality learning experiences and quality learning environments for children ages birth to five years; continuing education classes help meet professional learning requirements for Fairfax County family child care permitting and Virginia State licensing; course offerings are analyzed to ensure all CDA Subject Areas are being met for all settings and all age groups, birth to five years; and courses offer a pathway of comprehensive coursework that covers the required 120 hours of professional learning in all CDA Subject Areas for Preschool, Infant-Toddler, and Family Child Care Credentials.

Visit Child Development Associate (CDA) Gold Standard by the Council for Professional Recognition to learn more.

For more information about School Readiness in Fairfax County, visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/office-for-children/school-readiness